thinks everything comes so easily acknowledges that his time in the field and at the plate has passed. That doesn't mean the future doesn't hold great things.'
She slid forward and rose from her seat, certain he needed time and space to absorb her words.
'Wait.' His hand on her shoulder stopped her.
'I think I've given you enough to think about. I should go.'
His hand curled tighter around her, his fingertips branding her with their heat. 'What if I don't want you to leave?'
Micki's heart skipped a beat, maybe more, before it kicked in once more. 'You aren't upset about what I said?'
He let out a harsh laugh. 'Sure I am. That doesn't mean I'm upset with you.'
She turned to face him. 'Nice distinction. Another way of not dealing with your feelings?' she asked lightly, though how she could speak with both his large, warm hand and his chocolate gaze on her was beyond her.
Her mouth had grown dry and not because of the sexual tension, though it was strong. Something had changed between them.
For the first time since they'd returned from the island, for the first time since the paternity scandal, Micki truly felt as if they were back in their easy, comfortable state.
And because of that connection, the teasing took on more sensual, provocative undertones. Desire raced through her at the thought.
He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. 'Know what I like about you?'
''What's that?' she asked, trembling as she spoke.
His thumb caressed her face. 'You don't pull any punches. You tell it like it is. And you aren't afraid to go head-to-head with me.'
'I learned from the best.' Once again she thought of her uncle.
'Well you should know something. Your guts and your spirit? They turn me on.'
His voice was gruff and, combined with his purely masculine heat, it turned
'Damian?'
“Hmm?' His gaze bored into hers.
She gathered her courage because what she was about to say was the last thing she wanted, but she had ho choice. “This can't be more than a one-time thing.'
One more time together before the paternity results came in. Micki knew that once they determined whether or not he was the father, she'd lose him one way or another. To his new life with a baby or to his old life that he couldn't seem to let go of.
He stared into her eyes, his hand caressing her face, remaining eerily silent as he pondered her words. She trembled with passion and desire, ready to jump him at a moment's notice. But Micki needed confirmation that they agreed on the ground rules.
She swallowed hard. 'Do you understand?'
A muscle ticked in his cheek. 'I ought to. They're my damn rules.'
It had been a while since she had had the freedom to act on her feelings and she did so now. Slowly she reached out and smoothed her fingers over the lines of tension on his face, trying not to let her emotions show. 'And? Do you want to go along?'
'I want,' he said in a deep voice. 'I want you badly.'
His words freed her from worry or from thinking about anything except tonight. A seductive smile curved her lips.
He slid his hand from her cheek to her shoulders, his fingertips dipping below her neckline. His touch was hot on her skin, his intent to tease and arouse obvious- and effective.
She trembled, her nipples puckering into hard knots beneath her lightweight T-shirt as she reached for the opening on his collared polo shirt.
He stopped her, grabbing her wrist with his good hand. 'I think I can maneuver things better in the bedroom.'
'Tonight you don't have to worry about maneuvering or using that wrist at all,' she promised him. 'Tonight it's all about you.'
Damian appreciated the sentiment but he wanted to make love to Micki hard and fast, to block out everything around him, but her.
'Show me the bedroom,' she said, her voice low and husky.
Apparently she was calling the shots tonight. Fine by him. He didn't want to think, not even about her words. She hadn't sugarcoated her feelings and because he trusted her judgment, he'd think about what she said-but he'd do it tomorrow. As she'd pointed out, they had another agenda for the rest of the night.
Her hand in his, he led her down the hallway ending at his large master suite. She stepped ahead of him toward the bed, a place he'd only slept alone. Despite all the women who'd passed through his life, he'd protected and held onto his privacy both on the island and here at his apartment. Though Micki had shown up uninvited, he had no second thoughts about sharing his personal space. She'd already become intimately involved in his life and having her here felt right.
The bedroom lights were on dimmers and he lowered them enough to set the mood. He joined her by the bed, where she'd already begun to strip off her clothes. He had every intention of following her lead.
He reached for the snap on his jeans just as Micki came beside him wearing a nude-colored bra that revealed soft mounds of flesh and delectable cleavage, along with her darkened nipples pressing enticingly into the see- through lace. His gaze fell lower, to her flat stomach and matching panties, also nude, that teased him with a glimpse of triangular shadow.
'You're fast,' he said, approvingly.
'Aah, but I intend to go slow.' A provocative smile lifted her lips.
She pulled his shirt from his waistband, then slipped the garment up and off easily. Instead of turning to his jeans next, she dipped her head and placed her lips against his abdomen. With excruciating patience, she teased him, running her mouth over his bare chest, leaving a moist trail in her wake. Cool air rushed over his dampened skin and he shivered.
'You like this?' Micki asked, at the same time she splayed her hands over his chest, her fingertips grazing his nipples, turning them into hardened peaks.
He let out a rough growl as desire shot through him, the ache traveling straight to his groin. If she wasn't going to move things along, then he intended to. He needed her too badly.
He unzipped his jeans and quickly shoved them aside.
'Commando,' she murmured. 'Now that I like.' With both hands, she eased him onto the bed and once he was on his back in the center, she straddled his waist.
He slid his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her close for a hot kiss, holding nothing back. He thrust his tongue into her open mouth, delving into the deepest recesses and finding so much more than an answer to his sexual need. Kissing her soothed his pain and eased the ache in his soul.
She squirmed on top of him, her body grinding against his, as desperate as he was to get closer despite the silky barrier that still separated them. He hooked his one thumb into the thin band and slid her underwear down her soft thighs.
'Please tell me you have protection,' she murmured.
He nodded. 'Not because I bring women here, but yeah, I do.' She exhaled a sigh of relief and he laughed. 'It's good to know the warning's mutual,' he said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
She grinned. 'Very mutual.'
He retrieved the foil packet from his nightstand and handed it over to her. 'The hand's not working well enough for me to do it myself.' He eyed her warily as he pushed himself against the pillows and waited for her to take over.
She ripped the foil, an expression of concentration on her face. She held up the condom to the light, eyeing it this way and that 'Is there a trick to this?'
'You'll figure it out' He clenched his jaw, his throbbing arousal making it difficult to focus.
His groin jutted upward and she began to roll the thin sheath over him, her fingers brushing his penis. Her lack
